Current Research and Scholarly Interests
Active Wnt signaling maintains somatic stem cells in many organ systems. Using Wnt target genes as markers, we have characterized distinct cell populations with stem cell behavior in the inner ear, an organ thought to be terminally differentiated. Ongoing work focuses on delineating the developing significance of these putative stem/progenitor cells and their behavior after damage.

Current Research and Scholarly Interests
Advanced MRI imaging for laryngeal cancer and swallowing disorders; applications of robotics in microlaryngeal surgery; high speed digital imaging of vocal fold vibration; the effects of hormones and anabolic steroids on vocal function.

Bio
I received my Master’s degree in speech language pathology from Purdue University in 2008. I then completed my Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) at Indiana University Health – Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. Following the completion of my Master’s degree, I remained at Purdue and received my PhD in 2012 in laryngeal physiology with M. Preeti Sivasankar, PhD. I then completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the laboratory of Susan L. Thibeault, PhD studying vocal fold biology.

I joined the Stanford faculty in 2014 as an Assistant Professor. My clinical interests include the evaluation and treatment of patients with voice, resonance, airway, and swallowing disorders.

My overarching research goal is to use techniques from the basic sciences and human clinical sciences to improve the prevention and management of voice disorders. My research program is directed at improving our understanding of the biologic barriers essential to vocal fold health. Specifically, I investigate how external factors implicated in the development of voice disorders, such as inhaled pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, compromise the function of the vocal fold epithelial and mucus barriers and how these changes may influence voice production. I am also interested in clinical and quality of life outcomes in patients with voice disorders undergoing surgical or behavioral interventions. My ultimate aim is to utilize my research findings to develop novel interventions to prevent and manage voice disorders.